The Impressive TimesSagara, Shivamogga (Karnataka), July 14, 2025:Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for nine National Highway (NH) projects in Karnataka, spanning a total length of 88 kilometers and involving an investment of over ₹2,000 crore. The ceremony, held in Sagara town of Shivamogga district, was attended by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, several MPs, MLAs, and senior officials.
One of the key highlights of the event was the inauguration of the Sharavathi Bridge, which is expected to greatly enhance connectivity between the Malnad and coastal regions of Karnataka. The new bridge will also improve access to popular pilgrimage destinations such as the Sigandur Chowdeshwari and Kollur Mookambika temples, thereby benefiting both local commuters and religious tourists.
Another major development includes the widening of the 47-kilometre-long Bidar–Humnabad section of NH-367, which will reduce travel time significantly between Bidar and Kalaburagi districts. Gadkari emphasized that these infrastructure projects are aligned with the vision of making road travel safer, faster, and more efficient across the state.
Addressing the local needs during monsoon, restoration work on the Shiradi Ghat stretch of NH-75 was also flagged, ensuring uninterrupted traffic on the vital Mangaluru–Bengaluru corridor. This will enhance trade, tourism, and emergency accessibility in the region.
To further improve regional connectivity, the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Shahabad and a bridge over the Kagina River on NH-50 were also greenlit. These will streamline traffic flow between Kalaburagi and Raichur, reducing congestion and improving safety.
In addition, road safety enhancements on the Bengaluru–Mysuru Access-Controlled Expressway were announced. These include measures to reduce travel time, enhance commuter safety, and cut fuel consumption—benefiting both personal and commercial traffic between Karnataka and neighboring Kerala.
These developments are part of the Government of India’s larger push to boost infrastructure, promote economic growth, and improve rural-urban connectivity across the country. Gadkari reiterated the Centre’s commitment to timely execution and world-class quality in all ongoing and future projects.
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